Consistency in our faith. Not always easy.
God expects us to be consistent in our faith, no matter the season.
Seasons of Faith
I’m not talking about seasonal seasons, like summer, spring, winter, or fall. Nor am I talking about seasons of life as in ages, 20, 30, 40, and so on. I’m talking about a different season.
Mountain top faith
I’m talking about those glorious seasons when we feel intimately in touch with God. We’re kind of on a God-high. It’s easy to be consistent in our faith during those times. We’ve had wonderful inspiration from his word and our time with him. We truly feel like the disciplines on the mountain top of the transfiguration. Like Peter, we want to build a tabernacle and live in glorious bliss with God. We just know we are always going to feel this way.
It’s at these times, that we are so on fire there aren’t enough hours in the day. We are at our best spiritually. We could conquer the world we feel so close to God. I hope this is nothing new to any of you. I hope you’ve all had those mountain top experiences. But we deserve no credit for all the good we might do at these times.
Why?
Because it’s easy. We don’t feel the stress or the strain. It’s all coming together seemingly all on its own. There’s nothing wrong with those times but what about the times we are not so inspired?
Valley faith
We’re not on the mountaintop; we’re down in the valley. We’re wading through the mud of family squabble, trouble with our employer, and financial difficulties. What are we like then? Where’s our consistency?
Are we still on fire for God? We certainly should be. 2 Timothy 4:2 says we are to instant in season, and out of season. This means we are to be consistent in our faith walk, regardless of our circumstances. Certainly, the apostle Paul was a good example of this as his writings show he was as passionate for God when in prison as he was when his situation was great. He wrote, “I have learned to be content whether with a lot or with nothing:” Philippians 4:11-13. While it seems he was referring to material things, I think he might also have been referring to those up and down experiences we all encounter in our faith.
I certainly do.
Called to be consistent
But if we make a God of our best moments, we will find that our enthusiasm for Christ wanes when we have our not-so-best moments. We have to learn to do what lies in front of us whatever our moments are, whether on the mountain top or walking in the valley below. This is where our consistency in our faith becomes evident or not.
It is when we are in the valley and still remain strong in faith that we can feel God’s approval. We should be grateful for the ecstatic times but never depend on them for our commitment. We are called to be faithful whether we feel like it or not.
Tweet
I struggle with this just like many of you. The one thing I do to maintain my consistency is to always have my quiet time with God. No matter if that is a mountain-top experience (everyone is healthy and no one is struggling), or a valley experience (meaning there are many struggles to pray about), I keep that time sacred.
Have a wonderful day and remember, it’s in the valley where our faith meets the test.
